Smart Umbrella Keeps You Dry and Looking Smart

Ok, some of these M2M devices are little silly, and this is certainly one of those. Silly though it may be, it’s still fun, so allow us to introduce the HAZ Umbrella, the world’s first automatic smart umbrella with location sensing for loss prevention and weather reminders.

HAZ Digital, a Taiwanese technology startup dedicated to the integration of IoT devices, will launch the umbrella via a crowdfunding campaign on July 14, with an expected ship date of October 2015.

It opens and closes automatically, thanks to a built-in high precision motor, microchip controller, and high capacity lithium ion battery. It opens or closes in less than two seconds, making it both awesome and convenient for users who are carrying multiple objects. It’s also loaded with Bluetooth Low Energy technology so it can alert the owner’s smartphone app if the signal is lost, meaning the umbrella has been left someplace. Finally, it will alert users to impending weather, using GPS and local weather predictions and patterns.

“The technology in the umbrella industry has not seen any major advances in decades,” said Harry Hu, Co-founder and Product Director, HAZ Digital. “The HAZ Umbrella is our first product in realizing our mission to use great technology to build products to improve lifestyles in an Internet-connected era. Not only does the umbrella offer tremendous benefits in convenience and usability, but we think that it is also a fantastic fashion statement for those with an eye for great design and robust quality.”

The crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for the HAZ Umbrella will allow backers to preorder umbrellas for $69, although the retail price of the umbrella will be $109. To get your own, head over to Indiegogo. Now watch this bonkers video preview.